At 38, Gael Monfils delivered a masterclass in tennis artistry to upset fourth seed Taylor Fritz in a thrilling 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(1), 6-4 victory, dancing his way into the Australian Open round of 16 and proving that age is just a number.
A timeless performance
Monfils, riding an eight-match winning streak after becoming the oldest ATP title-winner with his triumph in Auckland, continued his golden start to 2025 with a gutsy performance against Fritz on Margaret Court Arena. Known for his athleticism and showmanship, Monfils rallied from a set down to dismantle Fritz’s power game with a combination of stonewall defense and crafty shot-making.
“I think I’m the best athlete at 38 years old on the tour,” Monfils joked with a smile after the match. “I felt great today. The game-plan was to change the tempo, hold my lines, and I think I’ve done the job.”
Fritz outplayed and outfoxed
Fritz, a U.S. Open finalist and quarterfinalist at Melbourne last year, started strong by taking the first set 6-3. But Monfils quickly adjusted, cutting errors to a minimum and using his signature variety to neutralize the American’s power.
The turning point came in the third set tiebreak, where Monfils surged to a 6-0 lead with a flurry of winners before closing it out with a blistering forehand. From there, Monfils maintained control, sealing the victory with an ace down the “T.”
“It seemed almost too easy for him to hurt me for how much I was struggling to hurt him,” Fritz admitted. “It’s just a really good match from him.”
Record-breaking French flair
With his win, Monfils became the second-oldest man to reach the Australian Open fourth round since 1988, a feat surpassed only by Roger Federer in 2020. He also tied Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the most singles wins (37) by a Frenchman at Melbourne Park.
Monfils’ success is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. “I want to be myself,” he said of his celebratory dance. “That was my way to express my joy.”
What’s next?
Monfils will face the winner of the match between Ben Shelton and Lorenzo Musetti as he chases a third career Australian Open quarterfinal. With his current form and tactical brilliance, he’s a dark horse to continue his remarkable run.
For Fritz, the loss is a harsh reality check, but he acknowledged Monfils’ brilliance.
“It sucks to go out in the third round,” Fritz said. “But I won’t lose too much sleep over it. It was just a really good match from him.”
A family affair
Monfils’ wife, Elina Svitolina, was also set to compete on the same court later in the day, a fact that didn’t escape his humor.
“I think I warmed up the court for her,” he joked.
A dream beyond tennis
Despite his incredible performance, Monfils remains grounded. When asked if he dreams of winning the title, he responded with humility:
“My dream is to be old, with a lot of kids, and healthy.”
For now, Monfils is living another kind of dream—defying expectations, delighting fans, and proving that tennis can be an ageless art.
